Gear & Gadgets
HIGH TECH GEAR TO GO
By Judi Dash
Ingenious new high tech gizmos make life on the go easier or more fun. The following new products have been tested by the author. They may be available in stores where you live.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 1 Deluo MouseGPS |
2 SkyScout |
3 QuickCam Pro
for Notebooks |
4 Pathfinder
PAW 1300 |
5 Wi-Fi Detective |
1. FOLLOW THAT MOUSE:
An external USB mouse can make navigating a small lap top computer easier. Deluo's Travel MouseGPS gives new meaning to that navigation. The optical mouse comes with a built-in GPS receiver pre-programmed with Microsoft Streets and Maps 2008 software, which turns your laptop into a virtual GPS system on the go. Just turn on the lap top, install the software drivers via the included CD, plug in the mouse, and flip the switch on the underside of the mouse from "mouse" to "GPS." Presto, point to point directions anywhere in the United States or Canada -- without having to go online -- as well as nearby hotels, restaurants, ATM's, gas stations, and other helpful sources along your route.
Deluo Travel MouseGPS with Microsoft Streets and Trips 2008 is $130 at Amazon.com; (800) 201-7575.
2. SKY'S THE LIMIT:
Stargazing has never been easier or more informative. Just point the camcorder-size SkyScout at a section of the night sky, push a button, and the device will identify the constellations, planets, or stars within view, via text on the LCD screen, and audio (with the built-in speaker). The SkyScout uses automatic GPS-locating and three axis sensors that measure gravitational and magnetic fields.
With the tracking button, you can specify an object in the sky you want to see (the device identifies about 6,000 celestial objects), and follow on-screen prompts to find it and learn about the distance, history and mythology. A "Highlights" function provides suggestions on the best things to see in the night sky from a specific location on a particular date. Comes with headphones, carry case and a USB cable to connect to a PC for software updates. Great for camping trips or anywhere the night sky has a story to tell.
SkyScout (72953) is $400 from Hammacher Schlemmer; (800) 321-1484.
3. PORTABLE PEEK-A-BOO:
Take your show-and-tell on the road with Logitech's new QuickCam Pro for Notebooks travel webcam. The tiny (2.5 inches by 1 inch by 2 inches thick) autofocus webcam, with built-in microphone, clips onto the top of a notebook screen for high-resolution video emailing and conferencing. The Karl Zeiss lens makes for a sharp image, an auto-exposure function keeps lighting right, and wide-field-of-view face-tracking technology keeps you at the center of the focus, so you don't disappear from view, unless you want to. The software includes special effects and filters for getting artsy -- from fisheye to neon -- with your image. A telescoping 12-inch-high desktop stand puts the webcam at eye-level when you're not on the go.
QuickCam Pro for Notebooks is $100 from Logitech; (800) 231-7717.
4. MORE THAN A GOOD TIME:
Casio's Pathfinder Watch is big and clunky -- the diameter is a full two inches -- but its bulk is matched by brains that outdoor enthusiasts especially will appreciate. In addition to the usual alarms, stop watch, and countdown functions found in similar smart watches, the Pathfinder has built-in sensors that measure temperature, barometric pressure and altitude (including cumulative ascents and descents). There's also a digital compass. Just press a button, point in a direction, and the LCD face will display the abbreviation for that direction (such as SW for southwest). Radio-controlled atomic time signals constantly update the time in a choice of 29 time zones (using city abbreviations), including daylight savings time when applicable. The watch is powered by a solar cell and a secondary rechargeable battery. Water-resistant to 100 meters.
Pathfinder PAW 1300 lists for $300 with plastic band, $350 with titanium band, but is available for much less online. Info: (800) 634-1895.
5. SIGNAL SLEUTH:
Roaming laptop computer users rejoice. StarTech's diminutive (3.5 inches by 1 inch, by .5 inches thick) battery powered Wi-Fi Detective detects wireless hot spots within range without your having to unpack and boot-up your computer. Just flip on a switch, press "seek", and the Detective goes to work, scanning for nearby Wi-Fi signals, and displaying on its LCD the signal strength, network type, security protocols, and other crucial access information. Press "next", and the Detective continues to search out additional hot spots.
To charge up the device, plug its USB-connector end into the computer's USB port. The connection also allows the Detective to act as a wireless adapter that turns the computer into a Wi-Fi access point, and adds Wi-Fi capability to computers if that feature is not built in.
StarTech Wi-Fi Detective is $75; Info: (800) 265-1844.